Zooms to Primes?

The title may be misleadind=g as I will only be getting rid of 1 zoom

lens but here we go. I currently shoot a Canon 28-70 f2.8L and a

Canon 70-200 f4L, I shoot mainly people at events (groups) as well as

portrait situations (headshots, full length). I can shoot the 28-80

for portraits on my 20D with no probems and with my film bodies I can

use it for the group photo stuff, I tend to use film for the group

stuff because I have to proof everything anyway and I generally

include the the negs in my price so they can print what ever

enlargements they want later.

 

I shoot almost all my portrait stuff outside as I do not have a

studio and I find that the photos shot with the 70-200 are to busy

background wise even wide open. I find myself shooting wide open at

200mm to get what I want so I figured maybe I should switch out the

70-200 for a couple of primes to cover the range, I was considering

the 85mm f1.8 and the 135mm f2L. I realize that I will be limited to

a 135mm field of view with film but I do not think that will be a

problem for what I use film for. My main question is what kind of

DOF/bokeh can I expect wide open with 135mm compared to the 70-200

for full length stuff? I reaize that DOF is related to distance to

subject and I realize that the 1.6 factor will make me back up to get

the framing I will need and I am wondering if that will negate any

advantage the faster prime will have over the slower zoom in the same

situation. Sorry for the long rambling post, thanks in advance for

any responses I receive. JimC

certainly the 135/2@2 will have less dof than 200@4...how about googling a depth of field

calculator?

With a circle of confusion of 0.02mm, the DOF range for 135@f2 at 3 meter is 2.981 to 3.020 or .039m (~1.5 inches). The DOF range for 200@f4 at 4.44 meter is 4.363 to 4.439 or .076m (~3 inches). I hope I got all the calculation right.

James, check this out. Load the relevant data and all your questions will be answered. As were mines..It's a great tool...

Best, Istvan

 

http://www.dofmaster.com/dofjs.html

I recently sold my 70-200 f4 in favor of the 85/1.8 and 135/2 combo, and I am quite happy with the performance of both lenses.

 

The 135/2 is a great lens & sharp wide open - f2 isn't useful for group shots, but it's great for headshots and outdoor portraits. You'll also find there is a big difference in viewfinder brightness when comparing an f2 lens with an f4 lens.

 

Play around with the online depth of field calculators a bit & see if these lenses are right for you. There are Canon rebates available through 1/31/05 to sweeten the deal, too.

The 135 2.0 is fantastic - you can get smooth out of focus backgrounds at f 2.0 that look like a 300mm at f2.8. It's great for portraits out of doors. I used just this and a 35mm 2.0 for a year as my only two lenses on film EOS's.

 

You might consider the 135 and the 50mm 1.4 - makes an 80mm 1.4 on the 20D - I think the results at f1.4 using 1600 and 3200 ASA are incredible.

 

I also use the 135mm indoors at f2.0 and 1600 or 3200 ASA for headshots and candids - quite amazing. People hardly take any notice, as they think it's impossible that you are actually taking pictures, and then you give them an 8"x12" print that looks like 400 ASA film.

 

I haven't had any problems with focusing, and I find I can handhold slower than a film camera because the mirror is smaller.

I second everything Joe said but with one small exception. In my case it's the 85/1.8 + 200/2.8. HTH.

 

Happy shooting,

Yakim.